Effective Tools for Managing Anxiety

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To effectively manage anxiety, it's crucial to recognize that worry often tricks the brain into thinking it is productive. This leads to a cycle of rumination, especially during quiet moments like the early hours of the morning. A powerful technique to counter this is to assign anxiety a specific job or goal. Instead of remaining stuck in worry, individuals can take proactive steps by creating lists, schedules, or plans to direct their anxious energy into concrete actions. This shift not only helps in breaking the cycle of anxiety but also facilitates a transition from anticipation to action, as exemplified by the calming effect experienced before a significant event, such as a job interview. Engaging in any action can redirect focus away from worry, allowing anxiety to diminish and restoring a sense of control.

What are some words you would use to describe a leader? Bold, driven, steadfast. How about … anxious? You may not equate leadership with anxiety, but Morra Aarons-Mele — a writer, podcaster, and self-proclaimed anxious achiever — says that’s a mistake. Because anxiety is not a professional defect or character flaw. It’s not something to be ashamed of or something you have to hide. Instead, in Morra’s view, it’s an asset, a resource, a motivator that can bring out your best work. The hard part is figuring out how to master it so that it helps rather than hinders. If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, that may sound like a tall order, maybe even impossible, but in this episode, Morra, with help from a pen, a banana, and reams of cutting-edge research, will teach you how to do it.

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